Sunday afternoon was completely amazing for our family. We were overwhelmed by the outpouring from so many wonderful people in Norina’s many circles. Her life and memory were deeply honored. We felt enormous love and support from all who gathered, and also from the many people who couldn’t be there with us for the day.
Not knowing whether or not I would be able to speak when the opportunity came, I had written out a few notes, just in case. Not surprisingly, the paper they were written on didn’t make it out to my seat with me though, so I worked from memory. uh oh… There are a couple of important things I’d wanted to say that got away from me. Would you indulge me here?
Our enormous thanks to each of you who came up to speak. Your words touched our hearts, and in combination they painted a beautiful picture of the many aspects of Norina. And thanks also to those of you who came up to tell us what you would have said, or have written your thoughts down for us to read. We treasure every single message.
As we remembered Norina on Sunday, we were also holding close in our hearts a number of dear friends and family members who have recently passed away, and others who are struggling with serious conditions and challenges. One of Norina’s practices from which I drew continuous inspiration was her daily prayers for others. She never failed in this practice, no matter what was happening in her own life at the time. She prayed for people she knew and loved, and for others she would never meet. She prayed for all of us. I have derived incalculable strength from learning the power of this practice from my daughter.
And lastly, we had wished to particularly thank Charles Haynes, Patti Cathcart and Tuck Andress for their support of our family and for the profound gifts of their talents and compassion received by all of us gathered. Charles generously carved out the time to spend the day with us, delaying his return from compelling and demanding work here in the Bay Area, back to Washington DC to resume his important work there. Charles gave his time in order to hold us all in remembering Norina and honoring her devotion to God, and we are profoundly grateful to him. Patti and Tuck, dear friends to Norina and our family since well before she came into this world, offered us all the gift of their most inspiring, transformative, and simply gorgeous music. Takes My Breath Away and Time After Time by Tuck & Patti were two of Norina’s most cherished pieces of music for many, many years. The day was complete with all of these very sweet gifts for which we will be eternally grateful.
If I’d remembered to bring it with me on Sunday I would also have read the message below from Meher Baba. This was read aloud on the final night of the shivah service held for Norina in August. She loved, and lived by this message.
WE ARE LOVING GOD IF…
If we feel for others in the same way as we feel for our own dear ones;
If instead of seeing faults in others, we look within ourselves;
If instead of robbing others to help ourselves, we rob ourselves to help others;
If we suffer in the suffering of others and feel happy in the happiness of others;
If instead of worrying over our own misfortunes, we think ourselves more fortunate than many others;
If we endure our lot with patience and contentment, accepting it as His Will;
If we understand and feel that the greatest act of devotion and worship to God is not to hurt or harm any of His beings,
We are loving God.
